The Floral Birthday Book
OwnerOwned by
James McBey
(Newburgh, Scotland, 1883 - 1959)
PublisherPublished by
George Routledge & Sons
Date1900 - 1924
Object NameBook
Mediumpaper, card and ink
ClassificationsMcBey
Dimensions13.5 x 9.2 x 1.5cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1988 by Mrs Marguerite McBey.
Copyright© Aberdeen City Council (McBey Collection)
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG008346
Keywords
Handwritten on the front pages of the book is the following poem:
"We may write our names in albums,
We may trace them in the sand,
Or may chisel them in marble,
With a firm and skillful hand;
But, the pages soon are sullied
Soon each name will fade away
Every monument will crumble
Like all earthly hopes decay.
But dear friends there is an album
Full of leaves of snowy white
Where no name is ever tarnished,
But for ever pure and bright.
In that "Book of Life" - God's album -
May your name be penned with care
And may all who here have written
Write their names forever there."
This object is part of an archive that belonged to Marguerite McBey. As a result of her generosity, Aberdeen Art Gallery holds the largest archive of James McBey's work, including prints, drawings, sketchbooks, oil paintings and memorabilia such as this book.
James Cassie
